Cabbie `refused' To Pick Up Blind Man
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday May 10, 2001
A Wollongong taxi driver will be called before the radio cabs' board of directors to explain why he allegedly refused a blind man and his seeing-eye dog a ride.
Figtree man John Creamer claims the Wollongong Radio Cabs driver would not pick up him, his wife and his seeing-eye dog Lucy from Westfield Figtree yesterday.
Mr Creamer said the driver claimed he didn't want to clean dog hair from his car.
The elderly man said he told the driver he could not legally deny him a ride with his dog.
``I told him he could get a heavy fine," Mr Creamer said.
``(He said) `I don't care what you do, but I'm not taking you and your dog'."
To add further insult, the driver then told a woman waiting behind him to get into the cab, Mr Creamer said.
``What a paltry excuse," he said.
``All taxi drivers take her (Lucy) and I will admit she loses some hair, especially at this time of year when she is getting her winter coat.
``But she is clean."
Mr Creamer lodged a complaint with Wollongong Radio Cabs yesterday.
The cooperative's manager Nick Katselos said he had received the complaint and the driver would appear before the directors' board on May 29.
``The complaint has been noted and the driver will be dealt with," Mr Katselos said. ``This is bad for the business and especially (as it involves) a blind person."
Mr Katselos would not name the driver and said he was not yet aware of the complaint.
It is understood the Department of Transport also has been notified about the incident. The Mercury was unable to contact the department yesterday afternoon.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury